The Pei family gatherings always included Jiang Liuyan, yet she never enjoyed them, feeling only awkwardness in such settings.
These were not her family. While everyone thought Jiang Liuyan’s treatment in the Guogong Mansion was no different from that of a legitimate daughter, during every family reunion, she was acutely aware that she did not belong to the Pei family.
Pei Yunshu could freely act spoiled and charming toward the Pei family, but she could not.
No matter what mistakes Pei Yunshu made, the Guogong Mansion would never abandon her. Yet Jiang Liuyan was always on edge—she was merely a cousin. When counted carefully, who knew how many such cousins existed in the Guogong Mansion?
But today, even the influential concubines from the rear courtyard had come to this family banquet, so she could not avoid it either.
“On the battlefield, blades and spears are blind. Does Dachen truly have no other generals?” Pei Yunshu, having drunk two cups of wine, heard that her father had been injured on the battlefield.
In her past life, her father often said that as a military officer, injuries were inevitable. Yet as a general aged, the burdens of the battlefield grew heavier.
After she married Xie Changyan, her father could not relinquish his military authority, all to protect her.
When she died, her father was still away on campaign.
“Niannian is drunk, do not speak nonsense.” Madam Jiang signaled for her to say no more.
“Mother is worried too. With Father and Second Brother gone to the battlefield, Mother has visited every temple near the capital. Who knows if the gods and Buddhas are even reliable?” Pei Yunshu sat beside her father, chattering away.
Pei Yuanzheng listened, his expression softening considerably.
Pei Yuanzheng had a difficult childhood—his father favored his elder brother, his mother doted on his younger brother, leaving him alone and uncared for. He had to make his way onto the battlefield to earn his reputation through military merit.
Thus, Pei Yuanzheng still yearned for family. When he married Madam Jiang, who married beneath her station, he felt uneasy at first, but he was fortunate. Pei Yuanzheng knew what his own childhood had been like.
Therefore, he cherished the children born to his wife immensely. When his eldest legitimate son was ten, seeing him already steady, rigorous, and skilled in both civil and military arts, Pei Yuanzheng immediately petitioned for him to be named heir.
Even with his daughter, he was different from others. While most wanted their daughters to be virtuous and gentle, hadn’t he earned all this military merit precisely to back his daughter up?
“Father knows, don’t worry. The border is stable now, and there shouldn’t be much fighting. This time, Father has also found a few military officers to train properly—they should prove useful.”
Pei Yuanzheng looked at Pei Qingwan sitting beside Pei Yunshu. He had joined the military camp early, his temperament and appearance rough, but his daughters took after their mother, each as precious as pearls and jade.
Especially his eldest daughter. Pei Yuanzheng had doted on her, and Pei Yunshu was truly beautiful. When she was thirteen or fourteen, he often took her out to show her off, only to find young rascals swarming to curry favor.
From then on, he indulged Pei Yunshu even more. Appearance was most deceptive—it was better for her temperament to be somewhat spoiled and domineering. Only those who could tolerate even this might barely be worthy of consideration.
“All three of you are grown now. I’ll have those unmarried military officers under my command come to the house later. Let’s see if any catch my daughters’ eyes.” Having shed his heavy burdens and drunk some wine, Pei Yuanzheng spoke even more freely.
Jiang Liuyan silently sipped her tea, while Pei Zishan opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. If he spoke now, what if his cousin was unwilling?
Pei Zishan was tall and robust, and though he considered himself not particularly clever, when it came to matters concerning Jiang Liuyan, he always forced himself to think more carefully.
His cousin was different from rough men like them, and also unlike his bright and spirited younger sister. Cousin had always been quiet and delicate, with a perpetual hint of sorrow in her eyes.
He was afraid his blunt and straightforward words might make Jiang Liuyan dislike him.
“There are many civil officials in the capital, all refined gentlemen. Couldn’t they be suitable?” Madam Jiang said, cutting off her second son’s hesitation.
“Those scholars, hmph! They may have fair faces, but their hearts are all black.”
Pei Yuanzheng, drunk, declared, “When looking for a husband, you should find someone like your father. My daughter won’t marry anyone unless she truly loves him.”
The courtyard was lively. While the Guogong Mansion had strict rules, once they returned home and closed the doors, family members didn’t adhere to so many formalities.
Inside the room, the noise continued. Pei Yunshu, perhaps also drunk, gazed with misty eyes at the scene before her.
It was a sight she hadn’t even dreamed of in many years. Why had she married Xie Changyan? Perhaps those years had been too painful, as Pei Yunshu could no longer recall.
Was it because of genuine affection? Had she truly loved Xie Changyan that much?
She couldn’t remember. She had been too foolish. Memories of her past life fragmented in her mind. From the moment she married Xie Changyan, she had fallen into an abyss.
This time, she chose Xie Yanchuan, but she didn’t know if that was another abyss. After all, Xie Changyan had also disguised himself well back then.
But she had no choice. She wasn’t just protecting her family’s lives but the entire Guogong Mansion. Pei Yunshu could not live an ordinary, mediocre life.
Xie Yanchuan did not fear achievements overshadowing the ruler, but if Xie Changyan ascended the throne, he would surely fear the Guogong Mansion. In her past life, why had he been in such a hurry to deal with the Guogong Mansion?
He hadn’t even ascended the throne yet.
Pei Yunshu was half-drunk. She looked at Jiang Liuyan, who had somehow moved beside her. Jiang Liuyan sat with her back straight, having been drinking tea all along, so naturally, she wasn’t drunk.
“Cousin, do you want to become the Crown Princess?” Pei Yunshu leaned in, her breath carrying the scent of alcohol as it brushed past Jiang Liuyan’s ear.
The teacup in Jiang Liuyan’s hand trembled slightly as she forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart.
“You’re drunk, sister.”
“I’m not drunk, cousin. Let me tell you a secret. Nowadays, the daughters of the Guogong Mansion must either marry someone without real power or enter the royal family. Father is naturally anxious.”
“You’re drunk, sister.” Jiang Liuyan stared at Pei Yunshu for a moment before repeating the words, her expression as calm and detached as ever.
“Otherwise, cousin, why do you think Xie Changyan is so attentive to me? The Guogong Mansion wants to retreat, but Xie Changyan doesn’t dare.”
Jiang Liuyan tried to pull away, but Pei Yunshu grabbed her arm tightly, causing a sharp pain.
“The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Cousin, are you the mantis or the oriole?” Pei Yunshu spoke these words to Jiang Liuyan very closely, so to outsiders, it merely looked like an intimate whisper.
“You’re drunk, sister.” Jiang Liuyan enunciated each word slowly and heavily.
Pei Yunshu looked at her, and Jiang Liuyan stared back.
“Cousin is right.”
Pei Yunshu stood up and went to find Pei Qingwan with a wine cup in hand. Only after Pei Yunshu had walked far away did Jiang Liuyan finally seem to lose all strength, unable to even hold the teacup in her hand. The tea soaked her dress, and she took the opportunity to excuse herself.
Pei Yuanzheng watched Jiang Liuyan walk away but didn’t pay it much mind. His wife’s niece had never been particularly close to the family.
At midnight, Madam Jiang had everyone return to their own courtyards while she accompanied Pei Yuanzheng to the main residence, helping him change his clothes.
“These tasks could be left to the maids. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself, Madam.”
“With the door closed, I can share a few private words with my husband. It wouldn’t be proper for the servants to overhear.”
“Please go ahead, Madam.”
“The Crown Prince has been quite attentive to Niannian over the years. Niannian is still young and easily swayed, and we’ve spoiled her so much she doesn’t know her own limits. I’m worried.”
In this world, it’s not easy for women, especially when it comes to marriage. If the Crown Prince were to claim a private affair, even our Guogong Mansion would struggle to handle the fallout.
“Didn’t they say there’s already a rift between them now? Our daughter takes after you—she’s clever.” Pei Yuanzheng frowned.
“His Majesty is indeed a man of loyalty and righteousness, or else he wouldn’t have become the Crown Prince. But even though His Majesty has no heirs, the Crown Prince still worries about his position being unstable. Just this alone shows that His Highness is not someone to entrust with a lifetime.”
Pei Yuanzheng was clearly deeply dissatisfied with the Crown Prince. He had never openly served on the battlefield, was named Crown Prince from a young age, and yet he was now seducing his daughter with such underhanded tactics.
“There is a rift, but do you know why, husband?”
“Why? With so many fine young men in Dachen, it’s only natural our daughter might take a liking to someone else.”
“It’s because of Liuyan. I only realized after being reminded that Liuyan seems to be on very close terms with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“What? For how long?”
“I don’t know how long, but Niannian used to treat Liuyan like a sister.” Madam Jiang naturally had feelings for her niece, having raised her since childhood.
But how could a daughter and a niece be the same?
“That child is clever, yes, but her thoughts run too deep. Even I can’t see through her.” Madam Jiang sighed.
“Husband, now that Liuyan is also in our mansion—though she’s a cousin, over the years she’s been no different from Niannian. If something happens, everyone will blame us.”
Pei Yuanzheng removed his outer robe and, upon hearing this, slammed his hand on the table. “Damn it, he’s already scheming against me. I’ll go see His Majesty tomorrow.”
“This is a matter of youthful romance. What would you go to His Majesty for? That’s the Crown Prince His Majesty adopted.” Madam Jiang handed him a cup of tea.
“What do you think, Madam?”
If Jiang Liuyan were a member of his own family, he would have driven her out immediately. But since Jiang Liuyan was Madam Jiang’s niece, he still had to respect her opinion.
“If she wants to enter the Eastern Palace, then let her go. After all, Niannian doesn’t want to. As long as she severs ties with our Guogong Mansion before going, it’ll be fine.” Madam Jiang spoke calmly, yet her words were ruthless.
A cousin who had cut ties with the Guogong Mansion, no matter how much the Crown Prince favored her, would never gain a firm footing.
Pei Yuanzheng’s expression softened. “They’re all just children. Since they’ve made their decisions, let them be.”
As long as he was here, the foundation of the Guogong Mansion would remain secure. He doubted they could turn the world upside down.